Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen is just scratching the surface with the imprint it’s made on the Greater Houston region, and they’re set to break through with an upcoming opening in Katy. The new Cheddar’s is expected to open in the Texas Heritage Marketplace at 29053 Katy Freeway, according to a recently filed permit.
The permit details that construction on the new Darden eatery set to come to Katy this year is slated to start in mid-April and wrap up before the end of the year.
The Greater Houston region is no stranger to the American comfort food eatery. Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen was founded in Arlington in 1979 by Aubrey Good and Doug Rogers. Named after a suggestion from a fifth-grade class, according to the brand’s website, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen has grown from a local favorite to a national brand. Known for its made-from-scratch American comfort food, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen continues to boom.
After a brand refresh in 2015 to highlight its fresh cooking, the chain was acquired by Darden Restaurants, the owners of Olive Garden, in 2017.
What Now Houston reached out to the Senior Vice President of Operations for Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Chris Kelley, but did not hear back by the time of this publication.
Many of the Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen restaurants have remained corporate-owned. There are now nearly 200 Cheddar’s locations across 27 states, with a little over 50 of those in Texas, all serving up the same simple but good eats for an affordable price.
“What does it mean to ‘Get a lot. For not a lot.’ at Cheddar’s? It means loving every bite of the handmade, fall-off-the-plate food coming out of our kitchen,” the Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen website reads.
“It means gathering with family and friends in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. But here’s the best part – it means you don’t have to empty your wallet to get the dining experience you deserve.”
Cheddar’s menu highlights include family bundles, where customers can get a meal for the whole family for less than 50 bucks, salads and soups, and a host of appetizers, including the Buffalo Beer-Battered Shrimp. The menu also boasts a multitude of chicken, steak, ribs, seafood dishes, and much more.
Check out this Texas classic when it opens in the Texas Heritage Marketplace at 29053 Katy Freeway in December 2026.
